AI-Driven Cyberattacks Identified as Top Security Concern
/ 3 min read
Quick take - A recent Gartner survey indicates that 80% of senior risk and assurance executives now view AI-driven cyberattacks as their top security concern, driven by the advanced capabilities of AI tools that facilitate various forms of cybercrime, including malware generation and phishing, while also highlighting broader issues related to AI, such as misinformation and reliance on third-party services.
Fast Facts
- A Gartner survey reveals that 80% of senior risk executives view AI-driven cyberattacks as their top security concern, driven by advanced AI tools that automate malware generation and create realistic phishing messages.
- A report from Vipre indicates a 20% increase in business email compromise (BEC) attacks, with nearly 40% targeting senior executives and IT teams, often utilizing AI technologies.
- Experts express concerns about AI-related risks beyond cyberattacks, including misinformation and political polarization, alongside a growing dependence on key IT vendors.
- Security researchers predict a rise in AI-enabled attacks, with Gartner forecasting that by 2025, nearly half of all businesses will experience software supply chain attacks.
- In response to these threats, Immersive Labs has launched a cybersecurity crisis simulator to help teams prepare for specific cyberattack scenarios, while Broadcom enhances its cloud offerings with AI-driven data analysis tools.
AI-Driven Cyberattacks: A Growing Concern
A recent survey conducted by Gartner reveals that AI-driven cyberattacks are now the foremost security concern for 80% of senior risk and assurance executives. This growing apprehension is largely due to the advanced capabilities of sophisticated AI tools. These tools are empowering attackers to automate the generation of malware, craft highly realistic phishing messages, and execute large-scale distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.
Increase in Business Email Compromise Attacks
Further underscoring the threat landscape, a report from security firm Vipre indicates a notable 20% increase in business email compromise (BEC) attacks during the second quarter. Nearly 40% of these incidents specifically target senior executives and IT teams. These attacks are executed through the use of AI technologies.
The risks associated with AI extend beyond cyberattacks. Experts also point to issues like AI-assisted misinformation and political polarization. There is a growing dependence on key IT vendors, highlighted by a recent incident involving CrowdStrike, which resulted in disruptions of essential services on a global scale.
The Rise of AI in Cybercrime
Malicious actors are leveraging AI to simplify the execution of cybercrimes, contributing to a rise in deepfake scams and an increase in the exploitation of zero-day vulnerabilities. Security researchers anticipate a significant increase in AI-enabled attacks, with Gartner forecasting that by 2025, nearly half of all businesses will face software supply chain attacks.
Concerns from security experts regarding the use of AI in cyberattacks are multifaceted. They focus on issues such as leaked training data, which concerns 35% of experts, unauthorized use of AI tools (33%), and vulnerabilities to external manipulation (32%).
Preparing for Evolving Threats
In response to these evolving threats, Immersive Labs has introduced a cybersecurity crisis simulator designed to generate tailored scenarios for various types of cyberattacks, aiding security teams in preparing for specific threats. Additionally, Broadcom has announced enhancements to its private cloud offerings, integrating Azure AI Video Indexer to bolster data analysis capabilities and ensure compliance with security requirements.
As the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, the role of AI in both facilitating and combating cyber threats remains a critical area of focus for organizations worldwide.
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